Sqeaky door mirrors - warranty?

[RensterUK]

Folks,

Hopefully this post will provoke less heated debate than my last ;-)

Quite simply, on my W211 E320 CDI, the driver's side door mirror makes a less than loveable noise as it swings in / out as you lock / unlock the car. Merc have tried spraying loads of what I guess is WD40, to no avail.

I have the usual 12 month approved used warranty, and have told the dealer that when it goes for service it needs looking at, but they so far have ummed and ahhed over whether it would be a warranty item.

Surely, it'd only not be a warranty item if it came under "normal wear and tear" - and can anyone really claim that something like this can be claimed as normal wear and tear?

I've also heard this is a known and fairly common problem - anyone else had the same? Was that a warranty fix?

 

[whitenemesis]

I have fold on locking mirrors on my C class.

They tend to squeak as they fold unless I apply some PTFE spray to the rubber seals. I do this about every month, keeps them nice a quiet

I suggest you buy some PTFE dry lube as used on mountain bike chains, Halfords sell it. A gentle spray into the seals when the mirror is folded. Spraying the gear mech also benificial.
Fold out the mirrors and wipe away the excess from the outer faces of the seals. The spray dries quickly to a very slippery powder that clings very well.

 

[outsmartsmart]

As above - its not the mechanism that squeaks but the mirror 'rubbing' the seal as it closes. It needs rubber with a higher silicone content in to eradicate it.

I also used WD40 on mine, just to check it was that and it 'fixed' it for about 2 days before the WD40 rubbed/washed/evaporated off.

I then used chain lube (off my motorbike), a 'dry' PTFE based one and it seems to last about 3-4 weeks before reapplication. Must admit I don't always do it as got used to it now and the 'creak' it gives when closing means I know car is locked as I walk away....

 

[lulu]

I use silicone spray to eliminate the noise from mine. I find I only need to use it very infrequently.

 

[jberks]

I've learned to live with the squeak and actually its quite useful. Its a kind of auditory notification that its locked and alarmed now cars don't beep any more!

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Folks,

Hopefully this post will provoke less heated debate than my last ;-)

Quite simply, on my W211 E320 CDI, the driver's side door mirror makes a less than loveable noise as it swings in / out as you lock / unlock the car. Merc have tried spraying loads of what I guess is WD40, to no avail.

I have the usual 12 month approved used warranty, and have told the dealer that when it goes for service it needs looking at, but they so far have ummed and ahhed over whether it would be a warranty item.

Surely, it'd only not be a warranty item if it came under "normal wear and tear" - and can anyone really claim that something like this can be claimed as normal wear and tear?

I've also heard this is a known and fairly common problem - anyone else had the same? Was that a warranty fix?

I don't have this extra on my cars. Was it manufactured in, or a retrofit?

I'll bet the dealer will see it as wear and tear, especially if the remedy is only temporary as other posts imply. For precisely that reason you should argue that it should not do it, not all cars do by any means, and you would like them to eliminate it or replace the mirror with one that does not do it.

Keep us posted on how you get on.

 

[lulu]

I don't have this extra on my cars. Was it manufactured in, or a retrofit?

If you have a one-touch button to fold the mirrors, I think it can be configured with Star. That's if it isn't already selectable within the menu settings somewhere.

S-A-M has the knowledge to do this (mine were done by him).

 

[Rory]

I think there was only a fairly brief period on E Class where the mirrors auto-folded by default - might be an old-wives tale but I read Merc disabled it because owners complained about the squeaking!

Mine fold on the button push and I lube them every now and then with silicone spray. They do still squeak as they come into the folded position and the rubber is getting squashed.

Most unlikely any replacement would be done under warranty - I think you're over-estimatimating the scope of warranties. They're for when things break, not for squeaks and rattles etc.

 

[RensterUK]

Hmmm, thanks for the reponses again guys. Just my luck that my current bike is belt drive (yes, you read right!).... and I don't have any chain lube kicking around. Oh well, worth a few quid I guess! Cheers again!

 

[Mercedes 190E]

Our 2004 W211 has auto fold mirrors, but we had to activate the function through the dash menu.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

If you have a one-touch button to fold the mirrors, I think it can be configured with Star. That's if it isn't already selectable within the menu settings somewhere.

S-A-M has the knowledge to do this (mine were done by him).

Hi Lulu,

I was being flippant. Mine do fold automatically, they just don't squeak!

Thank you for your advice though. Interesting that others have de-activated this facility because of the squeak!

 

[robertjrt]

I think there was only a fairly brief period on E Class where the mirrors auto-folded by default - might be an old-wives tale but I read Merc disabled it because owners complained about the squeaking!

Mine fold on the button push and I lube them every now and then with silicone spray. They do still squeak as they come into the folded position and the rubber is getting squashed.

Most unlikely any replacement would be done under warranty - I think you're over-estimatimating the scope of warranties. They're for when things break, not for squeaks and rattles etc.

That's is a good idea, disable the function that causes a problem.Problem solved!

Warranty claim? One has to be "reasonable", look what happened too me!

 

[Daeths]

Both of mine squeaked on the 211. As per others, it is the rubber, not anything mechanical.

I used mequires tyre trim !! It says on the bottle it keeps rubber flexible, stops the sun damaging etc etc as well as blackening tyres. Put this on the rubber trim around the mirrors and the soft plastic 'shield' inside about 4 weeks ago....the silence when they open is great